Aaron Holiday Bio
Aaron Shawn Holiday, born on September 30, 1996, is an American professional basketball player for the Houston Rockets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He plays the point guard position and is known for his defensive intensity and ability to pressure opposing ball handlers. Aaron Holiday was selected by the Indiana Pacers in the first round of the 2018 NBA draft with the 23rd overall pick after a standout career at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he earned All-American recognition. He has since played for the Washington Wizards, Phoenix Suns, and Atlanta Hawks before joining Houston.
Early Life and Background
Aaron Shawn Holiday was born in Ruston, Louisiana, to Shawn and Toya Holiday. Both of his parents played college basketball at Arizona State, where Toya was recognized as the Pac-10 Player of the Year in 1982. Growing up in a basketball-focused family, Holiday was exposed to the sport from a young age and developed his skills alongside his older siblings.
Holiday moved with his family to the Los Angeles area, where he attended Campbell Hall High School and became a four-year starter for the basketball program. As a freshman, he led his team in scoring with an average of 24.3 points per game. He continued to develop throughout his high school years, and as a junior he averaged 28.9 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 6.0 assists per game, earning CIF Southern Section IV-A Player of the Year and Los Angeles Daily News Player of the Year honors.
As a senior, Holiday remained a focal point of the Campbell Hall lineup and was rated a four-star college recruit. Recruiting services ranked him among the top high school players in the country, including No. 40 by Scout.com, No. 60 by Rivals.com, and No. 88 by ESPN.com. His strong senior campaign helped guide Campbell Hall to its first sectional and California regional final since 2008.
Path to Basketball
Holiday joined the UCLA Bruins in 2015 as a highly regarded freshman point guard. He entered the program with a reputation as a tenacious defender capable of applying full-court pressure, and he quickly became a starter for the Bruins. In his freshman season, he averaged 10.3 points per game and led the team in steals while also ranking as one of the conference’s best three-point shooters.
During his sophomore season in 2016–17, Holiday moved to a bench role and served as the Bruins’ sixth man. Despite the change in responsibility, he continued to contribute effectively and earned honorable mention for the Pac-12 All-Defensive Team. His strong play off the bench helped UCLA reach the 2017 NCAA tournament.
As a junior in 2017–18, Holiday returned to the starting lineup as the Bruins’ primary point guard. He averaged 20.3 points and 5.8 assists per game, leading the Pac-12 Conference in scoring. He was named a third-team All-American by the Sporting News, earned first-team All-Pac-12 honors, and was selected to the Pac-12 All-Defensive Team. Following the season, Holiday declared for the 2018 NBA draft.
Aaron Holiday Career
Early Career (2018–2021)
Holiday began his professional career with the Indiana Pacers after being selected 23rd overall in the 2018 NBA draft. He signed a three-year contract worth approximately $6.5 million and gradually carved out a role as a defensive specialist off the bench. In his rookie season, he appeared in 50 games and averaged 5.9 points while shooting 40 percent from the field.
During his second season with the Pacers, Holiday set a career high with 25 points against the New Orleans Pelicans on December 28, 2019. In that same game, he shared the court with his brothers Jrue Holiday and Justin Holiday, marking the first time three brothers played in an NBA game at the same time. Over his three seasons in Indiana, Holiday developed into a reliable backup point guard known for his perimeter defense and perimeter shooting.
Indiana Pacers Breakthrough (2018–2021)
Holiday’s most memorable individual moments with the Pacers came during stretches when the team needed perimeter scoring. He posted 19 points and seven rebounds in a 121–94 win over the Utah Jazz in November 2018, and later scored 17 points in a 136–94 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers. His ability to knock down three-pointers and disrupt opposing guards made him a valuable rotation piece under head coach Nate McMillan.
Washington Wizards and Phoenix Suns (2021–2022)
On August 6, 2021, Holiday was traded from Indiana to the Washington Wizards in a multi-player deal. He earned a starting opportunity early in the 2021–22 season, but his playing time fluctuated as the year progressed. On February 10, 2022, he was traded to the Phoenix Suns, where he averaged 6.8 points across 22 games while shooting a career-high 47 percent from the field.
Atlanta Hawks Era (2022–2023)
Holiday signed with the Atlanta Hawks for the 2022–23 season, reuniting with former Pacers coach Nate McMillan and his brother Justin Holiday. Although he was part of the team’s regular rotation during the year, Holiday was not featured in the Hawks’ playoff rotation as Atlanta was eliminated in the opening round by the Boston Celtics.
Houston Rockets Era (2023–Present)
On July 10, 2023, Holiday signed a minimum contract with the Houston Rockets. He re-signed with the franchise on a two-year, $9.5 million deal in July 2024, and again on a one-year minimum contract in July 2025. Holiday has continued to serve as a veteran backup point guard for the Rockets, providing defensive energy and outside shooting.
Driving Style and Strengths
Holiday is widely recognized for his defensive intensity and ability to pressure opposing point guards. He excels at on-ball defense, ranks among the league’s most active hands in passing lanes, and has consistently shot above 35 percent from three-point range throughout his career. His combination of quickness, court vision, and perimeter shooting has allowed him to remain a steady contributor in bench roles across multiple organizations.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Holiday’s career came on December 28, 2019, when he scored a career-high 25 points and shared the court with his brothers Jrue and Justin during a game against the New Orleans Pelicans, the first time three brothers played together in an NBA game. He also holds a place in UCLA history as the first Bruin to lead the conference in scoring since Reggie Miller in 1986, and the first to average at least 20 points per game since Ed O’Bannon in 1995.
Aaron Holiday Career Wins
Aaron Holiday has built a reputation as a dependable role player and perimeter defender throughout his NBA career. While he has not been the primary scorer on a championship-contending team, his individual performances have produced several career-best scoring efforts and memorable wins across his stops with the Indiana Pacers, Washington Wizards, Phoenix Suns, Atlanta Hawks, and Houston Rockets.
NBA Highlights
Holiday scored a career-high 25 points in a December 2019 game against the New Orleans Pelicans. He also posted 19 points against the Utah Jazz and 17 points against the Los Angeles Lakers during his rookie season with the Pacers. Across his career, Holiday has maintained a three-point shooting percentage above 35 percent and has served as a reliable ball-handler in late-game situations.
Other Wins and Performances
During the 2017–18 season at UCLA, Holiday averaged 20.3 points per game and led the Pac-12 Conference in scoring. He earned third-team All-American honors, first-team All-Pac-12 recognition, and a spot on the Pac-12 All-Defensive Team. At Campbell Hall High School, he was a four-year starter and a multi-time Los Angeles Daily News Player of the Year.
Aaron Holiday Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Holiday comes from a family deeply rooted in basketball. His parents, Shawn and Toya Holiday, both played college basketball at Arizona State, and Toya was the Pac-10 Player of the Year in 1982. His older brothers Jrue Holiday and Justin Holiday have both played in the NBA, and his sister Lauren played on the UCLA Bruins women’s basketball team. Holiday is also the brother-in-law of United States women’s national soccer team player Lauren Holiday.
Personal Life
On May 14, 2020, Aaron Holiday married Ashli Scott. Together they have three children, and Holiday is also a stepfather to Ashli’s daughter from a previous relationship. The family has been based in the Los Angeles area, where Holiday attended high school and later starred at UCLA.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into the 2025 NBA season, Aaron Holiday re-signed with the Houston Rockets on a one-year minimum contract in July 2025, confirming his place on the team’s roster for another year. The Rockets, building around a young core, have continued to value Holiday’s veteran presence and defensive leadership in the backcourt. He is expected to play a key reserve role, providing perimeter defense, ball-handling, and outside shooting off the bench.
Through the early portion of the 2025 season, Holiday has remained a steady contributor when called upon, logging minutes as a backup point guard and as a situational defender against opposing lead guards. His three-point shooting and ability to run the offense in short stints have helped stabilize the Rockets’ bench units. As the season progresses, Holiday’s experience and consistency are likely to be a factor in Houston’s push for a playoff position in a competitive Western Conference.
